Plant Toxicity

Plants are beautiful—but not always safe for your pet!

Spring has arrived, and people are planting with a fury. Before planting anything, make sure it is safe for any pet that may be exposed to it. Please look at the list below before taking any of these plants into your home or planting them outside.

aloe vera

amaryllis

avocado

azalea

baby’s breath

bittersweet

branching ivy

buckeye

carnation

castor bean

cherry (seeds and leaves)

chrysanthemum

clematis

daffodil

daisy

English ivy

foxglove

hibiscus

holly

hosta

hyacinth

hydrangea

iris

jade plant

lilies (all)

macadamia nut

marijuana (illegal anyway)

mistletoe

morning glory

narcissus

nightshade

Norfolk pine

oleander

onions

peach (pits and leaves)

philodendrons

primrose

rhododendron

taro vine

tulip

wandering Jew

weeping fig

yew

yucca

The National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) is a nonprofit, cost-recovery program at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois. If you suspect your pet has eaten the wrong thing, you should call your veterinarian or call the NAPCC right away. This is not a free call. Below is a list of phone charges with the numbers. When calling, be ready to provide the following information: 

• YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER
• THE SUBSTANCE(S) YOUR PET HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO, IF KNOWN
• INFORMATION CONCERNING THE EXPOSURE (THE AMOUNT, TIME SINCE, ETC.)
• THE SPECIES, BREED, WEIGHT, AGE, SEX, AND NUMBER OF PETS INVOLVED
• THE PROBLEM(S) YOUR PET IS EXPERIENCING

Poison Control telephone numbers:

1-800-548-2423 ($30.00 PER CASE, CREDIT CARD ONLY; FREE FOLLOW-UP CALLS UNTIL PROBLEM IS RESOLVED.)

1-900-680-0000 ($20.00 FOR 5 MINUTES; $2.95 PER MINUTE THEREAFTER.)